Governments rise up as Wike’s expulsion shatters PDP

Escalating Crisis in the PDP

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is facing a deepening crisis, marked by the expulsion of several high-ranking members, including the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. This decision was made at the PDP’s 20th National Convention, held at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The expelled leaders include Ayodele Fayose, former governor of Ekiti State; Senator Samuel Anyanwu, the party’s National Secretary; Kamaldeen Ajibade, the National Legal Adviser; and Austin Nwachukwu. Other notable names include Mohammed Abdulrahman, Mao Ohuabunwa, Austine Nwachukwu, Abraham Amah, George Turner, and Chief Dan Orbih.

A motion for the expulsion was moved by Chief Olabode George, former National Vice Chairman of the party (South), and seconded by Samaila Burga, Bauchi PDP Chairman, before being adopted by the delegates.

At the same convention, Umaru Damagum was confirmed as the substantive National Chairman of the party.

Divisions Among Governors

The convention sparked divisions among governors loyal to Damagum. Two governors, Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State and Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State, dissociated themselves from Wike’s expulsion. Fintiri, who chaired the National Organising Committee of the convention, stated that the absence of INEC officials at the event necessitated his withdrawal from the exercise. He warned that the expulsion could plunge the PDP into an unending crisis and urged unity within the party.

Mutfwang also distanced himself from the expulsion, arguing that the issue was not discussed at the PDP Governors’ Forum or the party’s National Executive Council before it was presented. He emphasized the need for unity, dialogue, and collective effort in rebuilding the party.

Legal Challenges and Court Rulings

The PDP has been engulfed in legal battles in recent months. Former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido approached the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking justice after being denied the opportunity to purchase the PDP national chairmanship nomination form. On Friday, Justice Peter Lifu ordered the party to suspend the convention and restrained INEC from supervising, monitoring, or recognizing any convention conducted by the PDP that did not include Lamido as a contestant.

However, the Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan on November 3 permitted the PDP to proceed with the convention, directing INEC to attend and monitor the event for the election of new national officers.

Expulsion and Legal Justifications

The PDP announced the expulsion of Wike and other high-profile members via X on Saturday, stating that the decision was ratified by the majority of delegates at the convention. The party argued that the move underscored its commitment to eradicating internal divisions and anti-party conduct.

Citing Articles 10(6) and 58(1)(b), (c), (f), (i), (j), (l), as well as 59(1)(g) of its 2017 Constitution (as amended), the PDP maintained that the National Convention remains supreme in all matters relating to the party, including issues of discipline involving its officers and members.

Reactions from Expelled Leaders

Two other expelled leaders, Amah and Turner, criticized the party’s move, describing it as unlawful, procedurally defective, and a violation of subsisting court orders. Amah, the Chairman of the PDP in Abia State, called the convention an “aberration” given the ongoing litigation.

Turner, the Secretary of the PDP in the South-South Zone, dismissed the gathering as a social event, stating that there is no PDP convention anywhere. He emphasized that the organizers ignored two subsisting Federal High Court judgments.

Dissolution of Party Structures

The PDP also dissolved all party structures in Enugu, Akwa Ibom, and Rivers states. The dissolution was announced at the convention, with the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, moving the motion for the convention to ratify and approve the elected executive committees of the party at various levels in states and zones where congresses had already been concluded.

Potential Exits from the PDP

Meanwhile, the Governors of Rivers, Osun, and Taraba states—Siminalayi Fubara, Ademola Adeleke, and Cephas Agbu—shunned the convention on Saturday. The Deputy National Youth Leader of the party, Timothy Osadolor, suggested that they may exit the party. He dismissed the gathering in Ibadan as void, insisting that it carried no legal weight.